gocchin

That's why you can't think about the price....think about the tech and how good this ball will fly straight down the fairway for you instead.. (^_^)

It's a totally different market in Japan from the US. First of all we don't set the prices. Those are Japan retail prices. That's what Japanese golfers buy their golf balls for. Look at all the clubs, prices are generally higher. In Japan quality is considered far before price and it shows. Japanese gear and balls are packed with technology and top materials and premier workmanship. I've mentioned this a few times before but I will again to illustrate the different markets. USA has 3 almost 4 times more golfers than Japan however both countries spend about the same on equipment meaning that 1 Japanese golfer will spend the equivalent of 3 or 4 or his American counterpart's spendings. But you also pay for what you get for.... the Japanese companies know that the consumers are very demanding and pay top dollar so they pump tons of money into R&D, refresh products on a very regular basis and listen to the demands of their customers. Many of the balls are very specialized and definitely high tech. And even at those prices, they sell very well outside of Japan as people are willing to pay for a premium ball, especially if they can find one that really suits and helps their game. (^_^) I started playing the Mizuno Cross Eight Tour Balls.... I love the 352s and I'm very happy with the way they feel and play. Only 3 piece but high tech for sure!

Yeah it's a sweet bag.... it's their pro staff bag. It's pretty pricey. I just added it to the pro shop today. It's one really great looking bag. The white and red just look amazing!

Grear feedback T, they definitely look great and thanks for confirming that the spin lives up to Yamaha's claims.... I think Yamaha has a winner here for sure, people are only realizing outside of Japan recently that Yamaha has some awesome clubs... I'm glad you were able to get out there to really test them out! Too many great wedges! What are you getting next? Need to use this soon:

Oh yeah forgot to mention, forged by Endo!

You should have no problems with stiff across all the Nippon models if you play Rifle Tour flighted 5.5's. It will all end up being weight preference. The 950's and 1050's would certainly launch a little higher, with all three models being smooth feeling. The lighter the shaft the more you will feel it kick. If you really want kick, you should consider some good graphite like Roddio I-10 or GD Tour AD 95 or Axiv 959M! Of course they do cost quite a bit more! (^_^)

So it's winter here... life sucks. Snow and ice... I've been shoveling every day. I've been sick. I am not happy. However I was lucky enough to have my brother in law ship over a set of used Yamaha Inpres X wedges for me to try out. I've set up my training area in the basement. Big Moss green for chipping and putting. Hitting mat and net. All this so I won't go insane. I've personally always liked the look of the Yamaha wedges...black and sexy... being an owner of a set of Yamaha Inpres X 460D irons and a 460D driver, design and quality have always been top notch. Remember these wedges are used so they do look that way in the pics. Obviously the previous owner did not use headcovers on his wedges (yes I do) and it shows. The Yamaha wedges have an unconventional kind of design with what they call a 3 box cavity where they remove weight from the bottom cavity to push CG higher. This is to create a lower more stable trajectory favored by many who want to control and attack the pin with heavy spin. First thing that stood out to me was the grooves.... whoa they seem deep and sharp. Yamaha boasts near right angle box like grooves and boy do they look it. They boast 10,100+ RPM backspin on a 50 yard approach shot with a 56* SW. That is nuts. The finish is a black oxide that definitely wears with age. If it were my wedge it's still look good but the previous owner obviously neglected it a bit and touch signs of rust in the grooves and letters on the back of the wedge show. Also the Black Ox has rubbed out in areas where there was obvious bag chatter and on the sole of course from play. Overall though, reasonably durable, but those expecting their wedges stay perfect forever need not apply. I try but the reality is... wedges are meant to get down right and dirty. (^_^). The Yamahas have three options from the factory for shafts, NS PRO 950, DG S200 or yes my favorite Graphite Design Tour AD 75 Graphite! Yeah but my brother in law is tight on the wallet so NS Pro 950GH it is. So an afternoon in the basement, light chip shots from 25-30 feet, the wedge has a nice touch. I actually hole quite a few. I hit it against a few other sand wedges, XXIO, Sky dream Jump, Mizuno, Fourteen.... The S10C EXTRA MILD CARBON is pretty darn soft. I try a few flop shots, really get under the ball to spin it and yeah they stop on the big moss even with a 1/4 swing or so. I move up to 1/2 swings into the net... to gauge feel. Soft, I like the feel, shaft is a bit heavy for me and I think it would feel even better with my usual Tour AD shafts but I'm not complaining. This is one nice wedge. Unfortunately I cannot test full swings without risk of destroying the basement and will not do any full swings upstairs on carpet... no I will not. Anyway got an extra Tour AD 75 going in the 56*. Once again, I add to my list of too many nice wedges and I don't know which to bring today dilemma. Those preferring a lower trajectory wedge with serious grooves for spin control and nice feel should definitely consider this wedge. Tried to get in as close as I could on the last pic to show the grooves.

It's a beauty for sure.... you gonna go on a christmas golfing vacation now? (^_^)

There are a few that have very little offset like the new X-Blade CB, the PRGR 500BL, the new Yamaha V Forged Tour Model, Fourteen TC-770 Forged as well to name a few. Are you looking for yet another set of irons P? I should let you hit my Tourstage Z-101's...

Wow it arrived already? I hope you are busy taking pics right now because we are all waiting!!

Every single ball in the shop is legal. All USGA approved and many used by pros. All different levels of spin and feel and distance. The EXE balls are made for high handicap players looking for a soft ball providing major distance. The part of Bridgestone Tourstage's premium EXE line.

Most of the top quality forged ball shredders here are in fact legal, Royal Collection 6150TG, Epon AF Wedge, Yururi Gekku Raw just to name a few can shred balls even on half swings... they are all in the pro shop. (^_^)

I'll say it again... reviews out of Japan are saying the MB5003's are the best feeling Miuras ever bar none, Japanese or US models. There are several AF-301 owners here in Toronto, at least 5 or 6 I can think of right off the top of my head. (^_^)

Same here C, everyone who hits the Lepon is amazed at the feel and performance and that is guys included. They will perform better than all those other ladies irons. My wife loves her Lepons, totally changed her game and she actually started enjoying golf and appreciating it more after getting the Lepons!

I've already told you many times how awesome that putter looks. Also want to hear how it compares to your Circle T, though I think I already know. (^_^)

They sure are constant weight, the ones that aren't are designated WF or Weight Flow and only available in Japan.... such as the 950GH WF. As for the 750GH, they do feel pretty soft to flex. I tried a 750GH Stiff in a set of Epons and they felt the same flex as 950GH R flexes. Very nice shaft though.

Very similar style ball flight.... both will launch it high, with the X-Con perhaps having slightly less spin. If you tend to go left as your bad shot you may be better off with the X-Con and it's stiff tip. The X-Con is know to produce high ball speeds.

More info from TM Japan: They are available in 13 15 18 and 21 lofts. All have square faces. Compact heads of 152 155 135 135 cc's. Available with two brand new shafts from TM the REAX V FW Tour and REAX V FW Plus. The Tour is a mid to high kick, low torque shaft and the Plus is a mid kick higher torque shaft. Also available with NS Pro 950FW steel. Retail prices as set by TM Japan are: 409.50 Tour 378.00 Plus 345.00 950FW Mid January 2008 Release. It'll be in the pro shop for pre order this afternoon.

Hehe I am in the GTA but even I cannot avoid shipping and handling charges.... we will figure something out though. (^_^)

S, one set beats all of those. Ladies Epon.... awesome soft Endo forgings with Graphite Design shafts. Priced better than all those sets too. Send me an email and I will set you up.

S, Please see page 40 and 41 of my flickr photo album for detailed pics of my set. Which I still have if you want to try them. They are soft indeed and practically play and look like a blade from up top. One of the best looking irons still but too advanced for me which is why they sit. http://www.flickr.com/photos/gocchin/page41/

Sent you a PM. (^_^)

They've been on sale in the pro shop for over 3 weeks already. (^_^)

They don't necessarily balloon shots, they just have different characteristics, the ligher weight Nippons, from the 750's which do play rather soft to the 1050's are more high launching shafts and they are meant to be. The 1150 is the lowest launching of the bunch, not only because it is heavier and stiffer which helps but also because Nippon designed their profile that way. The lighter shafts are naturally going to feel softer due to their weight, this is a characteristic of all shafts no matter what brand, the lighter model always feels softer as the only way that manufacturers can drop weight is by making the walls of the shaft thinner.

I've had some requests on whether some irons and wedges that are offered in chrome can be satinized.... Chris has done a few and is currently doing a set of the r7 TP Forged... Here are some examples for everyones reference including the crazy chromed Miura 588 forged Clevelands!!